Rein fastener and button.



PATENTED NOV. 3, 1903.

J. G. SMITH. REIN FASTENER AND BUTTON. APPLICATION FILED AUG. 30, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

$Igzsses I L acgfov, 2/ l1 -fl' I c/ hlocs fro. 742,921.

i atented November 3, 1903. 3

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN G. SMITH, OF WAHOO, NEBRASKA.

REIN FASTENEB AND BUTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 742,921, dated November 3, 1903.

Application filed August 30, 1902- Serlal No. 121,636. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN G. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wahoo, in the county of Saunders and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Rein Fastener and Button, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for connecting separate parts of harness, and has for its object the production of a device simple in construction and easily applied and operated, whereby two independent straps may be detachably coupled and adjusted as to relative length and position.

Another object of the invention is the production of a device whereby a single strap may be detachably connected to a ring, loop, or other part of a harness.

The invention consists in certain novel fea-' tures of construction, as hereinafter shown and described, and specified in the claims.

In the drawings illustrative oftheinvention, Figure 1 is aperspective view of the device applied for holding two independent straps. Figs. 2 and3 are perspective views of the two plates forming the improved device detached. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of a modified form of the device. Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional detail illustrating a modification in the manner of forming the lateral locking means between the plates.

This device may be employed at many points upon harness and similar structures. In one form the device will be employed for uniting the free ends of driving-reins, and thereby not only uniting the reins, but also providing a hand-grip or button for the driven In another form of the device it will be employed for connecting the checkreins to the checkrein-hook, or for connecting the reins to the bits, or for connecting various other single straps in harness, and in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 a structure is shown adapted to unite the free ends of the driving-reins, while in Fig. 4 a structure is shown adapted to support a single strap for the purposes above noted.

In each of the modified forms spaced plates 10 11 are employed, the plate 10 provided with a curved end 12 and the plate 11 provided with a corresponding curved end l3,'the two curved ends adapted to be interlapped, as

' the plates yieldably locked together. By this simple arrangement the two plates 10 11 are firmly locked together by their interlocking ends l2 l3 and yieldably locked together by the members 14 15 at their other ends. The spring member 15 will possess suflicient strength to resist any force which might be exerted longitudinally of the plates, but which will yield to a transverse force exerted to draw the plates apart.

The plate 10 is provided with a plurality of spaced perforations 16, and the plate 11 is -'likewise provided with a plurality of spaced perforations 17, the perforations being arranged transversely of the plates and preferably in transverse alinement, as shown. These perforatians provide means for the re- .ception of the straps to be held, and when employed for the purpose of supporting the free ends of driving-reins the latter will be woven alternately through the perforations, as shown in Fig. 1, wherein 18 19 represent the respective ends of the driving-reins. By this simple meansthe reins are caused to assume reversed bends back and forth through the plates, so that so strong a friction will be exerted upon them that it will be impossible to draw them longitudinally through the plates, whereby the plates become firmlyfixed and immovable upon the respective sections of the straps and can only be moved by disconnecting the plates and threading the straps transversely through the apertures, as will be obvious, and these plates are therefore adapted'for use as individual grips or buttons for the respective reins when separated, and when united they perform the double function of a connector for the reins and a hand-grip. Then, again, the plates l0 11 will be so closely spaced that the portions-of the straps which for the time being come between the plates are firmly pressed into en two parts 19 18 and draw them in opposite directions, thus disuniting the two parts 14 15, when the plates 11 will separate, one of the.plates remaining connected to the part 18 and the other plate remaining connected to the part 19 in position to serve as buttons for the respective reins and when so separated permit the reins to be coiled upon the harness in the ordinary manner when the horses are unhit'ched. When the horses are again hitched, the reins may be very quickly united by enclasping the part 12 over the part 13 and snapping the part 14 over the part 15, which may be done as quickly as, an ordinary snap-hook can be connected. When the modification shown in Fig. 4 is employed, the same action will be necessary; but in this form of the structure there being but one strap the two plates will remain connected to the strap, being separated only at their ends 14 15 to permit the insertion of the ring or other portion of the harness.

Some means will be employed to prevent the lateral movement of the plates 10 11, and this portion of the device is indicated in' Figs. 2 and 3, consisting of small ribs 20, projecting inward from the portion 12 and adapted to engage corresponding recesses 21 in the outer surface of the portion 13. obvious by this simple arrangement that when the parts 12 13 are interlapped the parts 21 will be likewise interlocked and efiectually prevent any lateral movement between the parts 10 11, while at the same time offering no obstruction to the free movement and 00- tener consisting of spaced plates having a pluaction of the parts 12 13.

In Fig. 5 a slight modification in the manner of forming the lateral lock is shown, consisting in forming a depression from within outward in the end 12 and a corresponding depression from within outward in the portion 13, whereby an internal cavity 22 is formed in the end 12 and a corresponding external protuberance 23 formed in the end 13, as indicated in Fig. 5. By the coaction of these two parts 22 23 when the plates 10.

11 are united lateral movement will be prevented between them.

The plates 10 11 may be of any desired size and of any suitable material, but will preferably be of steel of sufficient strength to resist the strains to which they will be subjected and maybe plated, japanned, or otherwise coated or protected and suitably ornamented, so that they will not detract from the appearance of the harness, but, on the contrary, will be an added attraction thereto.

It will be' It will be noted that in the modification shown in Fig. 4 the ring (indicated at 24) engages the strap 25, so that all the strains are borne between the strap and the ends 12 13, so that there is no friction of metal upon metal, and consequently no wear between the plates 10 11 and the ring. It will also be noted in this modification that a perforation 26 in alinement with the perforations 17'is formed through the end 15 for the passage of the strap 25, whereby the pull ofthe strap is directly in alinement with the plate 11, which will greatly simplify the action and prevent lateral strains.

The plates may be of any size to adapt them to the difierent; portions of the harness to which they will be applied.

The device may be applied to any portion of the harness to which it is applicable, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited in any manner in its use, but reserve the right to use the device in connection with any part of the harness or in other places to which it is adapted.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener consisting of separable spaced plates having independent means for the adjustable attachment of the straps and being detachably united at both ends.

2. A fastener consisting of spaced separable plates having independent means for the adjustable attachment of the straps and interlapping at one end and spring-united at the other end.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener consisting of spaced plates having independent means for the adjustable attach ment of the straps and interlapping at one end and spring-united at the other end, and having interlocking projections and cavities whereby lateral displacement is prevented, substantially as described.

4. As a new article of manufacture, a fasrality of transverse apertures for the reception and support of the straps, and interlapping at one end and spring-united at the other end, substantially as described.

5. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener consisting of spaced plates having independent means for the adjustable attachment of the straps and interlapping at one end and having an inwardly-bent lip upon the opposite end of one of said plates, and a spring-lip upon the other of said plates adapted to yieldably engage said inwardly-bent lip, substantially as described.

6. As a new article of manufacture, a fastener consisting of spaced plates having a plurality of transverse apertures through which the straps are adapted to be reversely threaded and detachably united at their ends, substantially as described.

7. Ash new article of manufacture, sepa stably-connected grip members provided with independent means for respective engagement with the members of driving-reins.

8. Afastener consisting of spaced plates provided with a plurality of transverse apertures and interlapping at one end and with the opposite ends bent inwardly and springconnected and with an aperture transversely through one of said bent ends, and a strap woven successively and reversely through said apertures, whereby the strap is adjustably connected to said fastener and extended through said end aperture, substantially as described. 

